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Lower Your Lipids

Several drugs improve lipid levels. But healthy lifestyle changes are vital.

Lipids are fats and fatlike compounds. They play vital roles in the body. But they can sometimes cause harm as well.

When doctors measure your lipid levels, they measure the lipids that reflect your risk of getting heart and blood vessel problems. These lipids include:

  • LDL (“bad”) cholesterol

  • HDL (“good”) cholesterol

  • Triglycerides

Lipid Goals

The American Diabetes Association sets goals for people with diabetes. LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dl. HDL cholesterol should be above 40 mg/dl. Triglycerides should be below 150 mg/dl.

Unhealthy lipid levels make heart attacks and strokes more likely. When a lipid level falls outside the healthy range, you and your health care professional should take action.

Meeting Lipid Goals

Several drugs improve lipid levels. But healthy …

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This Article

  1. doi: 10.2337/diaspect.17.2.79 Diabetes Spectrum April 2004 vol. 17 no. 2 79-80

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